'Party Leader Passing Controversy' Lee Jun-seok Suddenly Cancels Schedule... Is He Making a 'Major Decision'?

Yoon Seok-yeol and Lee Jun-seok Conflict Peaks
Confusion Grows Amid 'Major Decision' Speculation
Conflict Began During Kim Jong-in Recruitment Controversy

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, is delivering a greeting at the Central Women's Committee meeting held at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul on the 29th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Naju-seok and Park Joon-yi] Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, has canceled all official schedules after the 30th. He posted "This is the end" on Facebook the day before and has refused contact with the media since the morning of the day. Considering the series of events, there is speculation that the conflict between Lee and presidential candidate Yoon Seok-yeol over issues such as the formation of the campaign committee has reached an irreparable point. Following former emergency committee chairman Kim Jong-in, Lee appears to be moving toward a split with candidate Yoon. Party leadership was busy trying to understand Lee’s intentions that morning, but with speculation about a "major decision," the People Power Party is plunging into extreme turmoil.

That morning, the People Power Party announced, "All official schedules of the leader have been canceled from today (the 30th)." After Lee posted "^^ Then this is the end" on Facebook the previous night, there was immediate speculation that he might be making a major decision, such as resigning from the position of standing co-chairman of the campaign committee. The news of the schedule cancellation that day strongly supported this view. Neither Lee nor his close aides are responding to media inquiries. Before posting the controversial message, Lee expressed discomfort over being bypassed by saying he learned of candidate Yoon’s visit to Chungcheong Province "through the media."

The decisive trigger for Lee’s kind of "protest strike" seems to be the inclusion of Professor Lee Soo-jung, a criminal psychology professor at Kyonggi University, in the campaign committee. Lee repeatedly opposed recruiting Professor Lee, who is considered a prominent feminist. He judged that it would not help consolidate the 2030 male vote, but ultimately, the candidate’s wishes prevailed, and she joined the committee.

The conflict between the two seems to have crossed a line since the issue of recruiting former chairman Kim Jong-in. Lee hinted at the necessity of Kim’s involvement if the election became close, indicating he was holding on, but candidate Yoon dismissed this. At a youth talk concert the day before, Yoon said, "The kingmakers are the people, especially the 2030 generation, not former chairman Kim," clearly showing a difference in opinion with Lee on this matter.

As the unprecedented conflict between the party leader and the presidential candidate reaches its peak, there are not only concerns but also cynical voices inside and outside the party. Assemblyman Hong Joon-pyo posted on Facebook, "If the party leader is sidelined, the presidential election will be ruined. The camp’s power struggle is pathetic." Political circles are already considering possible scenarios Lee might take. These include refusing party duties and entering a "sit-in protest," resigning from the standing co-chairmanship of the campaign committee, or even stepping down as party leader.

Within the party, efforts are underway to understand Lee’s intentions and prevent a catastrophic outcome. After a party floor meeting, Kim Ki-hyun, the People Power Party floor leader, told reporters, "We will review the situation and discuss it," suggesting that Lee’s disappearance had not been shared with the party leadership.

Kim Byung-joon, standing co-chairman of the campaign committee and a factor in the conflict between the two, described the controversy as a kind of misunderstanding during a radio appearance. Professor Lee, who is also at the center of the dispute due to differences between Lee and candidate Yoon, said on the radio, "I think (Lee) does not clearly distinguish between feminism and radicalism," adding, "Coincidentally, 80% of violent crime victims are women, so some might assume that protecting victims means protecting women and attack me for that, but in fact, I have never said that only women should be protected."